More Americans connected around the clock

September 24, 2009

For some, the convergence of personal wireless internet devices and the proliferation of social networking sites has meant a radical change in the way they live their lives.

The percentage of Americans who are "connected" to the internet for significant fractions of the day is growing, says a study conducted by Forrester Research. Over 80 percent of U.S. adults use social networking sites more than once a month, and the fastest growth rate is among people over 35. Among younger people, a steady increase points to the proximity of near-total adoption.

Experts say that there are benefits and drawbacks to this constant internet use. While it's certainly much easier to stay up-to-date and conduct business if glued to a Blackberry, the sheer volume of available information can confuse incautious users. Many users admit to being overwhelmed at the myriad of facts and opinions that flit across their screens every day.

Another study, this one from the University of Ohio, claims that college students who used Facebook were more likely to have lower GPAs and spend less time studying than those who did not.

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